Njeri Kabeberi, Director, Kenyan Centre for Multi Party Democracy and Front Line's Andrew Anderson

In tandem with Front Line's photographic exhibition, Defending Life With Life, visiting Australia, Front Line has launched a new campaign calling on the Australian Government to show its commitment to human rights by introducing Australian Guidelines for the protection of human rights defenders at risk.

Further Information

The Campaign was formally launched by Front Line's Deputy Director Andrew Anderson. The key note speaker was special guest, Njeri Kabeberi Director of the Kenyan Centre for Muulti Party Democracy. Ms Kabeberi was one of a number of Kenyan human rights defenders who demanded that the organisers of the post-election violence be brought to justice. As a result her name was published on a list of human rights defenders to be assassinated. Ms Kabeberi is the recent recipient of the annual human rights prize awarded by the Frankfurt Lawyers' Association.

The event was hosted by Alex McDonald and The Wise Foundation in The Bleeding Heart Gallery Brisbane and Front Line is very grateful for their generous support.

The Australian Government has played an important international role in the promotion and protection of human rights and has frequently taken action on behalf of human rights defenders at risk This support recognises the legitimate role of human rights defenders as key agents of social change.

The adoption of a set of formal guidelines would help to codify the various initiatives already taken by the Australian Government, would give them increased status and credibility and facilitate their more effective implementation.

The adoption of such guidelines would in addition confer increased legitimacy on, and recognise the importance of, the work being done by human rights defenders.

Support The Campaign - Sign The Petition here http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/campaign

You can also read Andrew Anderson's speech at the launch of the Australia Campaign in the attached PDF